Mathatron & other stuff

From: Doug Yowza <yowza_at_yowza.com>
Date: Thu Aug 20 00:38:26 1998

On Wed, 19 Aug 1998, dave dameron wrote:

> I found a book I would recommend if anyone finds a copy, although I am still
> getting used to it. It is "Computer Structures: Readings and Examples" by
> Bell and Newell. It uses strange notation (for me) and even the table of
> contents is "virtual".

That wouldn't be Gordon Bell, would it? The book sounds familiar, but
it's not on my shelf.

> Anyway, it includes descriptions of 2 desktop calculators, both about 1968:
> an Olivetti 101 (USD$3500) and a HP 9100A. The HP uses core memory, its
> program ROM uses 16 layer PC board technology. The HP article is a reprint
> from the HP Journal. Does anyone have either of these?

Somebody with a better sense of calc history should chime in here, but I
think Monroe, Olivetti, HP, and Wang all had programmables in the 60s.

I have an HP9100A manual and the first HP _Keyboard_ that describes it. I
think I recall at least four people on the list having a 9100. It was not
the first programmable, but it was the first HP, and it is pretty cool
with its built-in CRT and expansion bus.

-- Doug
Received on Thu Aug 20 1998 - 00:38:26 BST